Spring colours are everywhere at the moment - one of the best times in the year. The honesty (above left) and the cowslips (right) were both photographed in the lane near our property, whilst the apple blossom (above right) is on one of the young trees we planted last year. Hopefully there will be a small crop of fruit to enjoy later in the season.

... finally broke yesterday, so we were very lucky to have had two dry weeks in which to complete the deck project.

The weather has been entirely dry during our construction work, but it rained a little over night, and the forecast for the week end is unsettled, so just when the final work can be completed will have to be seen.

... of solid effort on the construction, the new sun deck is finally nearing completion. There remains some final alignments to be made, and some extra fixings in a few places, but the heavy work is now behind us.

... and we have made good progress with our major project to renew the sun deck. The final sections of the supporting framework were fixed into place yesterday, meaning that we can begin laying the decking today.

There is some unsettled weather in the forecast for later in the week, so there may have to be a break in our efforts - on vera!

.... yesterday was welcome after three days of labouring in 34°C. Construction of the supporting framework for the deck is moving ahead well, although we will be waiting for more wood to complete it. Meanwhile, two of the large step sections have been anchored in place (photo) and hopefully the remaining three will go in today. It's overcast and a little damp, but work should be able to go ahead.

.... since I returned from the far east has enabled work on the new deck to forge ahead. With afternoon temperatures in the mid 30s C it has been a bit hot to be comfortable working, but I'm not complaining !

The wood order was incomplete so today's tasks include fetching another batch of timbers and pressing ahead with laying the joists. We've had to add some extra joists to provide adequate support for the new material which is significantly more flexible than the thick wooded planks it is replacing.

.... despite a less than easy journey, and a missed train in Paris, caused by a series of delays en route.

Returning to glorious weather is just what the doctor ordered and work on the new deck has moved ahead as planned.

With the help of our friend and neighbour, the first batch of timber was collected from the sawmill and treatment has started. There were four beams missing from our order, but hopefully that won't delay us too much as there's plenty to do with what he have already.

... of my long tour here in Singapore, and I'm already looking forward to getting back to some home comforts.

It's good to see so much new growth back in the garden where the European spring is finally getting going. This astillbe (right) has been dormant over the winter, but it's clearly growing strongly now and hopefully the characteristic whispy pink flowers will start to appear before too long.

... and an extra day off is very welcome. Monday is not a holiday here in Singapore, alas.Week five was mixed in weather, with some thundery downpours at times, but fortunately they didn't coincide with my journeys, so I managed to escape another soaking like I got the week before !

No idea what this flower is, but it's very beautiful (Gardens by the Bay, Sg)

Five more days at the desk out here, then I can finally be getting home again ... I'm looking forward to some home comforts after such a long absence. I'm hoping the weather will be kind when I get back, too, so that I can crack on with building the new sun deck. No doubt there will be some time lost to the rain, but hopefully not too much.

Michel's Blog

Moments MusicauxHave you sampled any of the live recordings of choral music featured on the Moments Musicaux page of the website?Or there's a Christmas Carol selection available here.

Author

Michel - just an ordinary guy, I guess. A musician by trade and into 'techy' things as 'relaxation'. Originally from the UK, but resident in France for 13 years.Work sometimes takes me to far-flung places, but it's nowhere near as exotic as it may seem, I can assure you.